Family: Poaceae
Genus & Species: Panicum virgatum
Switchgrass is native to the Great Plains and most of the eastern United States and is a warm season perennial. It should be planted in the spring at a rate of 6 to 7 pounds per acre of pure live seed and should be drilled with 6 to 8 inch spacings or broadcast. Cultipacking after planting helps establishment with soil and speeds up germination. Switchgrass grows best on loam and sandy loam soil, but can be found in the Black Belt of Alabama and Mississippi. Forage herbicides are 2,4-D on weeds in seedling stands and Atrazine cand be used after the second year at a rate of 2 pounds per acre to control annual weeds. This warm season perennial begins to grow in late spring and continues through the summer if moisture is available.

Switchgrass makes good grazing for all livestock except milking dairy cows and should be stocked with enough cattle to graze the pasture down to 4 inches within two weeks. This grass becomes rapidly unpalatable and low in quality as it approaches heading. Cattle should be removed and the pasture allowed a month to recover before grazing again. The regrowth should not be grazed to no shorter than 8 inches and leave for the winter. I should no longer be grazed after September 1. If cutting for hay, cut at the boot stage leaving 3-4 inch stubble and cut or graze again in late August leaving an 8 inch stubble.

Switchgrass has several environmental benefits including adding organic matter to the soil, increasing soil water infiltration and nutrient holding capacity, and provides a habitat for many species of wildlife. If it is used to produce energy, it will reduce the risk of global warming by replacing fossil fuels.

Gravert, C.E.; Tiffany, L.H.; Munkvold, G.P. "Outbreak of smut caused by Tilletia maclaganii on cultivated switchgrass in Iowa." The Journal of Plant Diseases. May 2000, v. 84(5) p.596.

Brown, R.A.; Rosenberg, N.J.; Hays, C.J.; Easterling, W.E.; Mearns, L.O. "Potential production and environmental effects of switchgrass and traditional crops under current and greenhouse-altered climate in the central United States: a simulation study." Journal of Agriculture, Ecosystem, and Environment. March 2000,v. 78(1) p.31-47